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Chairman Announcement

Preventive Recommendations

Disease and Health Information

Avian Flu Alert Response Levels

Chairman's Announcement

Chairman’s Announcement (10 July 2008)

The Government lowered the response level of Avian Flu to Alert Response Level on 9 July 2008. Staff and students are reminded to stay alert and maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. Avoid contact with poultry and their droppings. Eat only thoroughly cooked eggs and chickens. We will keep monitor of the situation and will update information regularly at our website.

Chairman’s Announcement (18 June 2008)

An outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza among ducks was reported in Jiangmen, Guangdong yesterday. In view of the confirmed avian influenza case, the Food and Health Bureau imposed a 21-day ban on imports of poultry and pet birds within 13km of the infected area. A mass culling of all poultry in retail markets was carried out last week following the detection of H5N1 virus in four local wet markets. Imports of live poultry from the Mainland and supplies from local chicken farms were suspended with immediate effect for 21 days.

An urgent CHPP meeting was convened on 12 June. It is working closely with University Health Service, Estates Management Office, University Safety and Environment Office and various units to strengthen actions to guard against avian influenza. All preventive and control measures will be stepped up according to the heightened alert at Serious Response Level.

Staff and students are reminded to avoid touching live poultry and birds, and their droppings. After contacting them, they should wash their hands thoroughly immediately afterwards. Please notify the Security Unit at Tel. 2609-7999 in the event of discovering dead bird on campus. Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before eating. Travellers returning from affected areas should consult doctors promptly if they have symptoms of influenza. They should inform the doctor of their travel history and wear a mask to prevent the spread of disease.

Chairman’s Announcement (10 June 2008)

Serious Response Level Activated

New domestic cases on avian flu in poultry were reported on 7 June 2008 in 5 samples of 3 chicken stalls in Po On Road Market in Sham Shui Po. In light of the H5N1 avian flu virus found in local market, the Government had raised the original Alert Response Level to Serious Response Level. The Food and Health Bureau had announced suspension of live chicken supply for 21 days to facilitate the tracing of the source of infected chickens. No abnormality had been found in other markets so far and the Government stays alert on the avian flu situation.

The Committee on Health Promotion and Protection (CHPP) has accordingly activated the Serious Response Level in the CUHK Campus Pandemic and Avian Flu Alert and Action Plan. Please refer to the Serious Response Level Action Plan for details. All Departments and Units are required to follow the appropriate level of action plan. Staff and students are advised to adopt a healthy lifestyle, adhere to good personal and environmental hygiene, and follow the precautionary measures below:

Eat only thoroughly cooked poultry and eggs.
Avoid contact with poultry and their droppings.
Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
Avoid going to crowded places.
Wear a mask when you have fever or respiratory symptoms.
Consult doctors with your recent travel history if you have flu-like illness, especially those who have close contacts with poultry.
Vaccinate against influenza. UHS offers flu vaccination at cost price. Please call 2609-6428 for further enquiry.

Please take a look of the Preventive Recommendations posted on our website. CHPP will monitor the development closely and will keep you informed with updated information regularly at our website.

Chairman’s Announcement (9 May 2008)

Hong Kong is on full alert to the threat of Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease because of the recent upsurge of Enterovirus 71 infection in the neighboring areas. The Department of Health is distributing related leaflets at immigration checkpoints and publicity for tourists and the communication between travel industries has been strengthened.

Locally, fourteen EV71 cases have been recorded this year, which is higher than previous years. 20% of the Hand-Foot-Mouth Diseases outbreaks in Hong Kong were caused by EV71. The Centre for Health Protection is monitoring closely the local and overseas situation and will review the advice for school suspension accordingly. The University Health Service is keeping close observation on individual cases. No associated or serious case has been reported.

EV71 is usually found in young children, presented with symptoms of the Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease such as fever, sores and blisters in the mouth. Rash also appears on the hands and soles of the feet. Rarely, EV71 may cause serious diseases, such as meningitis, encephalitis and myocarditis.

EV71 infection is transmitted from person to person by direct contact with body discharges. The incubation period is from 3 to 7 days. Currently, no specific treatment is available for EV71 infection. Symptomatic treatments can relief fever and pain from the ulcers. Vaccine is not available at the moment. Good personal and environmental hygiene are the most important preventive measures, such as:

Wash hands frequently and thoroughly.
Do not share personal items and eating utensils with others.
Maintain good ventilation.
Disinfect furniture, toilets and toys with diluted bleach regularly.
Infected children should refrain from school and group activities.

Chairman’s Announcement (13 March 2008)

Prevention of Influenza

Hong Kong is currently at the height of influenza season and it is expected to last for some time. According to the Department of Health's surveillance, private doctors and government outpatient departments detected an increasing influenza-like illness activity in the community. The Centre for Health Protection announced on 12 March (http://www.chp.gov.hk/epidemiology.asp?lang=en&id=448) of 23 more influenza-like illness outbreaks in schools (20 suspected and 3 confirmed influenza outbreaks). Hospital admission rates due to influenza among children under 5 and elderly 65-year-old or older are rising. The Education Bureau announced yesterday that all primary schools, kindergartens and special schools would be closed for two weeks from 13 March to prevent the further spread of influenza on campuses. The Centre for Health Protection is publishing a weekly bulletin on its website on update of the latest seasonal flu situation (www.chp.gov.hk).

The circulating influenza viruses showed a mixed composition. University Health Service (UHS) has launched the influenza vaccination programme from September 2007 to March 2008. Almost 3,000 doses of flu vaccine have been given to staff and students. The current flu vaccine used in Hong Kong is based on the World Health Organization's recommended composition for Northern Hemisphere 2007/08. Although it does not match exactly with the current strains, it still offers some degree of protection against influenza. The vaccine is still available in the UHS. The cost price is $70. For those who have not been immunized this year (2007-08), please go to the UHS to receive the vaccinated protection. Staff and students are reminded to be vigilant and observe good personal and environmental hygiene. Other protection against influenza includes:

Consult doctors promptly if any symptoms of respiratory tract infection develop, and wear a mask.
Proper hand washing is an effective hygiene practice to avoid contracting and spreading communicable diseases.
Avoid going to crowded places and if the ventilation is poor, wear a mask to protect yourself and others.
Build up body immunity by proper diet, exercise, adequate rest and avoid smoking.

At its meeting on 11 March 2008, the Committee on Health Promotion and Protection discussed the contingency plan for preparations for the outbreak of influenza. All staff and students are reminded that Hong Kong is still in the Alert Response Level of the Influenza Preparedness Plan, plus the height of influenza season. The University has stepped up the action on prevention of both influenza and the bird flu. Various concerned departments such as UHS, University Safety and Environment Office, Estates Management Office and Security Unit are stepping up the vigilance and infection control measures.

UHS is keeping track on any related respiratory diseases, stocking up masks, thermometers, protective equipment, medication, and conducting trial run of the Special Residence Quarter. Disinfectants and masks are adequately stocked by the University Safety and Environment Office. Estates Management Office is enforcing the cleaning procedures. A briefing session will be organized for all Colleges and Faculty Working Group Coordinators to provide update information on influenza and preventive measures taken by the university. Talks on “Prevention of Influenza in Several Perspectives” will be conducted for all workmen from different units, including EMO, Colleges, canteens workers and security staff.

Hostel students are requested to fill in the Health Declaration form if they have any symptoms of fever or respiratory tract infection. The form will be sent to UHS for screening. Please visit the CHPP website http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/health_promote_protect/ on updates of the influenza situation and recommendations in the university.

Chairman’s Announcement (26 February 2008)

Hong Kong Government has stepped up efforts to guard against bird flu after the death of a woman with H5N1 in Shanwei , Guangdong on 25 Feb 2008. She developed fever and cough on 16 Feb after eating meat from a dead chicken. As the location of the incidence is getting close to Hong Kong and human avian flu occurs more frequently in winter, the public hospitals would give special tests to patients with flu-like symptoms of unknown origin and who had visited Guangdong in the past six months. Other measures include enhancing temperature screening at the checkpoints; sending vets to check the farms; cleaning wet markets more thoroughly and stepping up the border checks for imported poultry.

The University Health Service would also step up the alertness for the management of the upper respiratory tract diseases. Staff and students are reminded to remain vigilant against avian influenza infection and follow the measures below:

Eat only thoroughly cooked poultry and eggs.
Avoid contact with poultry and their droppings.
Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
Avoid going to crowded places.
Wear a mask when you have fever or respiratory symptoms.
Consult doctors with your recent travel history if you have flu-like illness after a trip.
Vaccinate against influenza. UHS offers flu vaccination at cost price $70. Please call 2609-6428 for further enquiry.

Chairman’s Announcement (18 February 2008)

The cold weather in Hong Kong has been continued for three weeks and will last for a while. Two particular conditions that the CHPP and UHS would like to bring to attention to all staff and students:

Influenza
The influenza-like illness has increased sharply in the community in the last three weeks. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health has said the influenza vaccine being used for the current flu season offers some degree of protection against the virus, even when it does not match exactly with one of the circulating strains. Students and staff are encouraged to get vaccinated as it takes two weeks to take up immunity. The vaccination is available are the University Health Service at the cost price of $70.

To prevent influenza, we should:

build up good immunity by having proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest and avoid smoking
maintain good personal hygiene
have good environmental hygiene with good ventilation, even in very cold weather
avoid going to crowded places

Frostbites

In the past 2 weeks, the University Health Clinic and Accident Emergency Departments of Hong Kong are seeing quite a number of patients with Frostbites – which are very rare in Hong Kong before.
Frostbites are freezing of the skin and can cause serious damage to the fingers and toes, and ears if not properly taken care of timely.
Those with symptoms of frostbite – i.e. itchiness, pain, swelling of the peripheral part of the lesser toes and fingers, should go quickly to warmer places to prevent tissue damage and seek medical treatment
Take extra care of young children, elderly people and those with chronic diseases.
Please keep warm. Wear a hat and put on gloves when going out in the cold weather. People with low body fat are more likely to get hypothermia. Cigarettes and caffeine cause narrowing of the blood vessels. When blood vessels are narrowed, there will be less blood flows and cause cold hands and feet.

Chairman’s Announcement (25 Jan 2008)

The Lunar New Year is approaching. For those who plan to travel abroad during the holiday, one should increase awareness on the prevention of avian flu and other food-borne diseases during traveling such as hepatitis A and typhoid. Mosquito-borne illnesses, such as Malaria, Dengue Fever, and Japanese Encephalitis, are common in remote areas of Southeast Asia. Vaccinations are available at University Health Service at cost price. Please contact Mrs Pauline Kan of University Health Service for details.

There were fatal human cases of avian flu in Indonesia and Vietnam this week. A 30-year-old man died on 24 Jan 2008, making Indonesia's overall toll to 98 fatalities, the hardest hit nation in the world. A 34-year-old man died on 18 Jan 2008 in Vietnam. So far, there had been 353 confirmed human cases, of whom 221 had died. Most of them are proved to have close contact with either infected birds or family members. There is a latest bird flu outbreak in a poultry farm in Thailand with 400 chickens died on 24 Jan 2008.

As precautionary measure, one should check out the traveling guidelines on what to do before going on and after returning from trips, especially to countries affected by bird flu. More travel tips can also be found at http://www.travelhealth.gov.hk/.

May I take this opportunity to wish you a prosperous and healthy Year of the Rat.

Chairman’s Announcement (10 Dec 2007)

A new case of human infection with H5N1 avian influenza virus was confirmed on 6 December in Jiangsu Province. The 52-year-old male is the father of the 24-year-old man who died from H5N1 infection on 2 December 2007. He is one of the close contacts placed under medical observation. He developed symptoms on 3 December and was sent to hospital for treatment. Staff and students are reminded to stay away from chickens and wild birds when traveling abroad. Eat only thoroughly cooked poultry and eggs.

Winter is the peak season for influenza. To prevent influenza and other respiratory tract infections, healthy lifestyle is advised as follow:

to build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise, adequate rest, reducing stress and avoid smoking;
to maintain good personal hygiene and wash hands frequently; wear a mask when developing symptoms of respiratory infections;
to maintain good ventilation even in very cold weather;
to avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation.

The University Health Service provides influenza vaccination each year. The influenza vaccination programme started in September this year has already covered more than 2,500 staff and students. The vaccination helps protect you from complications of influenza by immunization prior to the peak influenza season. The vaccination is charged at cost price of $70. For those who have not got the vaccination, please visit the UHS during office hour or call 2609-6428 for enquiry.

Chairman’s Announcement (6 Dec 2007)

The Council for Sustainable Development has launched an Engagement Process on Better Air Quality to seek public views on ways to improve the air quality of Hong Kong. An Air Summit will be held on 17 December 2007 to collect public views on this important topic. As a partner organization in the initiative, the University encourages its staff and students to participate in this event. Details of the Summit can be viewed at http://www.susdev.org.hk/en/registration.asp. Let’s make use of this opportunity and make our contribution towards improving the air quality of Hong Kong.

Chairman’s Announcement (5 Dec 2007)

As long holiday is approaching soon after the examination period, staff and students are reminded to take extra precaution when celebrating Christmas. Make sure that the food is thoroughly cooked, especially when using hot pot dining. The core temperature of food should reach 75 degrees Celsius for two to three minutes to ensure that most of the bacteria are killed. Frequent handwashing, particularly before handling food and eating. For those who plan to travel to South East Asia, protect yourself from mosquitoes by physical means and other prophylaxis to prevent Dengue Fever and Malaria. Please contact the University Health Service for advice if you are traveling to Malaria endemic areas.

WHO confirmed on December 4 that a new human H5N1 infection in China, giving a cumulative total of 26 cases including 17 deaths in China. Students and staff are reminded to stay away from wild birds and sick chickens. Eat only thoroughly cooked poultry and eggs. Seek immediately medical advice if you develop fever after contacted with poultry. The University Health Service offers travel advice, prophylaxis and immunization for travelling. Influenza Vaccination is also available at cost price.

Chairman’s Announcement (5 Oct 2007)

The Committee on Health Promotion and Protection (CHPP), in collaboration with the University Health Service, provides a variety of health promotion programmes which have been well-received by staff and students.

To encourage walking in our beautiful campus, the Walking Campaign (Phase 2) will be held on 2 November 2007 (Friday) at 9:00 am at the University KCR Station. Participants will walk from University KCR Station to Shaw College, via the scenic Alumni Path, Chinese Medicine Garden and Alumni Garden. Healthy snacks will be available at Shaw College Lecture Theatre after the walk. Details can be viewed at http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/uhs/en/news/walkingNov2007.jpg. Come and join by registering online at http://perntc.per.cuhk.edu.hk/personnel/crsreg/crslist_misc.asp?crs=oth.

In an effort to promote mental health in campus, a series of talks on brain health are organized in the Healthy Campus, Prosperous Talk. The first talk on Alzheimer’s Disease was conducted on 25 September 2007 with extremely encouraging support. The next one on ‘The Neuroscience of Stress Management’ will be held on 31 October 2007. Please find more information on the latest talks at the website of University Health Service.

The Campus Health Ambassadors Programme has been a very successful student programme. This is the fifth year since its launch in 2003. The main theme of the Programme is to train 40 students from four Colleges for promoting health awareness, and to organize series of health-related activities in the campus. The Ambassadors, through a series of training, will be taught the skills and strategies in the development and maintenance of positive attitude to health and well-being. Details can be obtained at the website of University Health Service.

Chairman's Announcement (28 Aug 2007)

On behalf of the Committee on Health Promotion and Protection (CHPP), I would like to extend my warmest welcome to all of you in the new academic year. CHPP is tasked with coordinating efforts of health promotion and disease prevention in the University. Please visit our website which contains useful information on infectious disease preventive measures and campus health education activities.

The University is committed to foster a health-promoting culture within our university community. We encourage everybody to adopt and maintain healthy attitudes and lifestyles – physically, mentally, psychologically, spiritually and socially. It can be started by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and taking adequate rest. This will help to improve your personal health and well-being.

As the risk of avian flu pandemic still exists, the Avian Flu Alert Response Level in campus is maintained at the “Alert Response Level”. We would urge everyone to build up good personal and environmental hygiene practices. Do remember to wash hands regularly and thoroughly, wear a surgical mask if you have respiratory tract infection symptoms, and consult a doctor if you feel unwell. To protect the health of fellow students, all Student Hostel residents are required to fill in a Health Declaration Form upon checking in at the hostel to report on their own health conditions and recent travel history.

The University Health Service organizes regular immunization campaigns, health promotion activities and seminars for all students and staff, such as:

Influenza Vaccination Campaign
Hepatitis Awareness Campaign
Campus Health Ambassadors Programme
Student Mental Health Enhancement Programme
“Healthy Campus, Prosperous Life” Talk Series
First Aid Training Course

Please visit the UHS website for more details.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all good health and a fruitful new academic year.

Professor Jack Cheng
Chairman
Committee on Health Promotion and Protection

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